$837,303Average Value$331Average Price per Sq Ft13Homes For Sale
The sporty middle child of the Tri-villages
Waves is one of three tiny towns comprising the Tri-villages of Hatteras Island, so many visitors have trouble telling it apart from its sister villages, Rodanthe and Salvo. “You can’t really tell when you leave Rodanthe and get into Waves, or when you leave Waves and get into Salvo,” says Misty Gillikin, an island resident and Realtor with Realty One Group OBX. According to local legend, the original sign that marked arrival into Waves was repeatedly stolen by surfers looking to bring home a one-of-a-kind souvenir. Eventually, the local government gave up and decided against replacing the sign. But despite the missing marker, Waves’ identity is more than enough to set it apart. Surfers discovered the village’s namesake swells in the 1960s, kicking off a wave of water sports-fueled tourism that continues today. Nowadays, the sport of choice here is kiteboarding, but even those who’d rather just relax and enjoy the sun and sand find plenty of reasons to live in Waves. “It’s a little village with a ton of fun,” Gillikin says.
Discover coastal living with unique home styles and striking architectural detail in Waves, NC.
Waves is a popular beach town and known as the Outer Banks’ water sports capital.
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Homes with a view of the water
From cottages to castles, homes in Waves come in a range of sizes. Classic beachy homes might have shingle siding and a saltbox shape, while more modern takes on the Outer Banks’ trademark housing styles come in bright colors and have floor-to-ceiling windows. Nearly all these homes have wraparound balconies to take in the sea air and wooden piling to mitigate flood damage. Some areas in Waves are protected by double dunes, meaning that even beachfront homes are a couple minutes’ walk to the shore, as opposed to oceanfront properties elsewhere that overlook the water more directly. Prices start in the mid-$500,000s and can reach $1.8 million, depending on waterfront proximity and the amount of luxury bells and whistles.
Waves has gorgeous oceanfront homes with large balconies on the Outer Banks.
Waves has coastal home styles with waterfront views on the Outer Banks.
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The Outer Banks’ kiteboarding capital
Known as a hotspot for surfers and kiteboarders, Waves draws many visitors come to experience its well-known water sports. “We’ve got Real Watersports, which opened up about 10 years ago and is a big kiteboarding outfit,” says Pete Conley, a Waves resident and a Realtor with Realty One Group OBX. “They’re pretty well-known in the kiteboarding world. They have condos and a restaurant in their building on the Sound, so it’s a pretty big operation.” Real Watersports is popular for its day- and week-long classes, where attendees can learn all the ins and outs of kiteboarding on the Pamlico Sound.
Waves locals enjoy kiteboarding the Pamlico Sound on the Outer Banks.
REAL Watersports in Waves offers excellent kiteboarding classes on the Pamlico Sound.
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Young residents attend school in Buxton
The only Dare County Schools on the island are located in Buxton, roughly 22 miles south, or a half-hour drive by car. Cape Hatteras Elementary scores a B-minus from Niche, and Cape Hatteras Secondary School receives a B. The latter offers a coastal studies program, a student horror short film festival and other avenues to keep kids engaged. Both schools have an enrollment of less than 400 students.
Cape Hatteras Elementary School serves students pre-k to 5th grade in Buxton, NC.
Cape Hatteras Secondary School in Buxton, NC serves students from grades 6th-12th.
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Shop in town and dine on the Sound
Most businesses in Waves are locally owned and seasonally operated, sending year-round residents to more commercialized villages such as Avon or Nags Head for errand runs. “There’s a Dollar General between Waves and Salvo. I probably wouldn’t go there for a week’s worth of groceries, but there’s a Food Lion 20 minutes north and one 20 minutes south, so it’s convenient if you forget something from the store,” Gillikin says. Other last-minute supplies are sold at Waves Market & Deli, a beloved convenience store known for its surprisingly robust selection of craft beers and its build-your-own sandwiches. At Real Watersports' on-site restaurant, Waterman’s Bar & Grill, meals come with a view of kiteboarders sailing across the Sound. Other conveniences can be found in town, including bait and tackle shops, charter fishing services and the Tri-village’s U.S. Post Office. This is not to be confused with the old post office in Rodanthe, a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it roadside attraction that stands as the second smallest post office in U.S. history, at just 8 feet by 12 feet.
Locals go to Waves Market & Deli to build your own sandwich for a delicious lunch in Waves, NC.
Watermen's Bar & Grill in Waves is a popular eatery and bar to relax on the waterfront.
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Grab groceries in Nags Head or Avon
North Carolina Highway 12 runs through the Outer Banks, connecting Waves to the rest of the villages along the barrier islands. Many businesses are located along this central thoroughfare, as most folks use a car to get around town. “It’s great because you can drive down to Food Lion in Avon, or you can drive up to Nags Head just as quick,” Conley says. Both villages are roughly 15 miles away, or a 20-minute drive in either direction. Kill Devil Hills, the region’s most populous area, is approximately 35 miles north, a drive that takes about 50 minutes on average.
Waves residents can get all of their grocery needs with a short commute to Food Lion in Avon.
Frank & Fran's Bait & Tackle is a great place for Waves residents to shop for fishing supplies.
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Relax on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore
On the opposite side of the island from Pamlico Sound lie long stretches of beaches, part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, managed by the National Parks Service. While the Sound's calm surface makes it perfect for kiteboarding, the steadily crashing waves of the ocean draw in adrenaline-seeking surfers and beach bums who want to relax with their toes in the water. Hatteras Island is also well-known for its surf fishing, especially during the seasonal Red Drum runs. Waves even hosts the Hatteras Island Surf Fishing Challenge at the Camp Hatteras Conference Center, part of the popular campgrounds in the village.
Locals love surfing the beach breaks in Waves on the Outer Banks.
Waves locals love to surf fish at spots along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
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Life in paradise comes with home maintenance costs
Flooding is a risk factor that homeowners in Waves must consider. In nearby Rodanthe, some homes have recently fallen into the sea due to the eroding coastline. Hurricanes, nor’easters, extreme winds and heat can also affect life in this area. “All the houses are on stilts,” says Conley. “So the water comes up, but then it goes right back down.”
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Haley Winslow,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Waves
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Waves Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Waves, Nags Head sell after 73 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Waves, Nags Head over the last 12 months is $762,500, down 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to your dream coastal retreat at 25263 Sea Isle Hills Drive in Waves, North Carolina. This 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom oceanfront home has undergone a large renovation over this past offseason, adding fantastic new amenities and updates to all bedrooms/living areas not to mention a climate controlled theater and arcade on the lowest level. With all of these updates it's no surprise the rentals
Ready to truly get A Wave From It All? This classic oceanfront beauty in the heart of Waves checks all the boxes—views for days, space to spread out, outstanding rental numbers, and plenty of fun both inside and out.This home sleeps like a 7-bedroom with 5 full baths, so there's room for the whole crew. Wake up to sunrise over the ocean, pour your coffee, and take it all in from the top deck.
Commercial spot*****Priced to move and selling "as is".*****Location is positioned within easy reach of campgrounds, residential areas, and hotels, the location presents a golden opportunity! Explore turning the building into more than a restaurant, the possibilities are up to an entrepreneur’s imagination. Since its establishment in 1995, the iconic eatery charmed locals and visitors alike with
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Haley Winslow,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
Weather
Annual Precipitation
61''
Average Winter Low Temperature
41°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
31/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
21/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
